Rates Payments

Rates are funds collected by us from levies on properties. The term rates is often used to include service charges. Rates and service charges are used to fund, or assist with funding, all Council activities.

The rates financial period is from 1 July-30 June. Rate installments are due on the last Wednesday of every quarter (August, November, February and May). Rates are due:

28 November 2018

27 February 2019

29 May 2019

How do I pay my rates?

You can pay your rates online, by phone banking, credit card (a service fee applies), direct debit, automatic payments, cheques by post and in person at one of our offices (by cash, cheque and EFTPOS). Here are more details on the different ways to pay us.

Can I pay without my rates invoice?

Can I get details of rates paid in previous years?

My rates are in credit, can I have a refund?

Yes, all applications for refunds must be on the refund form. Refunds are banked directly into your account on Fridays (if your request has been received by 5pm Tuesday). You can also use your refund to pay other accounts, e.g. dog registration. Contact us for more information.

Rates arrears and penalties

Rates must be paid by the dates set, any amount not paid on time incurs a 10 per cent penalty. If a part payment is made, a 10 per cent penalty will be added to the outstanding balance.

Bi-annual penalties are added to any unpaid amount from the previous year's rates, i.e. a 10 per cent penalty on the outstanding amount is incurred. The first charge is added on 1 October and is 10 per cent of the balance still outstanding on that date. The second is added on 1 April the following year and is also 10 per cent of the balance outstanding.

You may apply for a remission of penalties by letter, fax, email, telephone or using a penalty remission form.

Changing the name on your rates account

In the event of a relationship separation the rates record can only be changed once the matrimonial/ relationship settlement has been completed. Please contact the solicitor who will be handling the settlement and they can forward the appropriate notification of the transaction, i.e. change of ownership, or a copy of the amended Certificate of Title to us.

What happens if the property now has a paying tenant?

Paying rates during a change of ownership

The solicitors involved will apportion the rates between the vendor (seller) and purchaser (buyer). The preferred method when an installment has been issued to the vendor is for the solicitor/vendor to pay that installment and receive a credit from the purchaser.

If a property is in credit when it is sold or if the vendor (seller) and their solicitor pay a current installment we will issue a refund to the solicitor for them to reimburse their client.

Rates Rebates

The Department of Internal Affairs runs a rates rebate scheme that in some cases allows for a refund or partial discount on rates for the current year (to 30 June) – please note that rebates are not available for previous years. The scheme is administered by us and generally applies to those on benefits or very low incomes.

There are three factors that determine a person’s eligibility: their level of income, their level of rates and the number of dependents. A quick way to check is to use the online rebate calculator on the Department of Internal Affairs website.

If you think you meet the criteria, or you would like help to determine your eligibility, our rebate applications team will help you confirm your status. Please contact us to make an appointment to calculate whether you are eligible for a rebate. The best time to do this is in August, once the first installment of rates has been received.

What to bring with you:

Your benefit number and type of benefit.

If you have not been on the same benefit for the last 12 months from 1 April to 31 March, bring a Summary of Earnings or a Personal Tax Summary certificate from Inland Revenue. (If you have been on the same benefit during this period, then a certificate is not needed.)

Details of income including bank interest, share earnings and income from other sources.

Rates invoice.

Rates remission

A rates remission reduces or wipes out a rates bill. A rates remission usually applies to community and sporting groups. Apply by letter, fax, email, telephone or by using the rates remission form.

How are rates set?

Each year we produce a Draft Annual Plan that details the proposed level of rates for the next financial year, along with the details of how services will be funded and provided. The rates are set in July of the rating year.

How are rates calculated?

Rates are based on a combination of the property’s land value (as assessed by Quotable Value New Zealand Limited) and the characteristics of the property. Every property in the district is allocated to one of four groups called differentials. Rates include a uniform annual general charge (UAGC). The four differential groups are:

Targeted rates

Targeted rates are fixed charges for water supply, sewage disposal and refuse collection. Only properties that receive these services pay the charges. We calculate and levy these charges separately from general rates.